He also said that four files relating to allegations of child abuse involving Home Office officials had only been handed to the police last year - three decades after the claims were made.

The Government is under pressure to hold a 'Hillsborough-style' public inquiry into the various allegations of child abuse in different corners of the Establishment.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, is among around 150 MPs who have called for such a move.

Mrs May, however, will stop short of announcing a full public inquiry but Downing Street sources say her statement will be 'significant' and will go much further than many had thought.

Last week, the Labour MP, Simon Danczuk, who has lead calls for an inquiry told ITV News that his office had been contacted by other alleged victims with around a dozen new leads - many of which threw up the name of the same former MP.